Russia deploys 4 missile-carrying ships to Black and Azov Seas: Possible salvo revealed
This morning, June 18, four carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles were detected in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, as Russia deployed them on combat duty, citing the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The military said that the total salvo of this group of ships in the waters of the two seas could consist of 28 Kalibr missiles.
According to the Ukrainian Navy as of 6 AM on June 18, 2024:
- In the Black Sea - 1 enemy ship, which is a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo of up to 4 missiles.
- In the Sea of Azov - 6 enemy ships, 3 of which are carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo of up to 24 missiles.
- In the Mediterranean Sea - 1 Russian ship, which is also a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo of up to 8 missiles.
Additionally, it was reported that in the past day, the following movements (in Russia's interests) occurred through the Kerch Strait:
- Into the Black Sea - 12 vessels, 5 of which continued towards the Bosphorus Strait.
- Into the Sea of Azov - 3 vessels, 1 of which came from the Bosphorus Strait.
"Russia continues to violate the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) by turning off automatic identification systems (AIS)," the Navy stated.
Previously, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk told RBC-Ukraine in an interview that one-third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's ships have already been rendered inoperative - either destroyed or damaged. He added that some of these vessels are being destroyed even after repairs.
Additionally, a Navy representative explained to the publication why Russia has transferred part of its fleet to the Sea of Azov.
Pletenchuk also explained the long pause in the use of Kalibr missiles by the occupiers, stating that it was due to the rapid relocation of the naval base to Novorossiysk, while the missiles and loading systems remained in temporarily occupied Crimea.